LTO Extends Driver’s License Validity for One Year

MANILA: Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II ordered all regional directors and heads of district offices of the agency to implement the extension of the driver's license's validity.

“All expired driver’s/conductor’s licenses that expired on 03 April 2023 shall continue to be valid until 02 April 2024 or until such time availability of plastic cards is sufficient, which will be the subject of a separate memorandum,” Mendoza stated in a memorandum.

Mendoza said that no penalties shall be imposed for those particular licenses.

He also instructed the LTO personnel to stamp or print “Valid as Temporary Driver's License Until Plastic Card is Released” on the system-generated driver's license official receipt and to put the following information:

• The name of the issuing office, contact personnel/phone number/email address
• The name and signature of the releasing officer 
• A screenshot of the driver’s license card (front and back) printed at the back of the official receipt

Mendoza also stated that the old or expired license card must be returned to the owner and would remain valid until the new plastic license is available.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTO have joined forces to address the backlog due to a shortage of plastic cards used to produce driver's licenses.

Five million plastic cards, which Mendoza claimed are more than enough to clear the backlog by the start of next year, have already been purchased by the DOTr. On the other hand, the LTO facilitated the distribution of the delivered plastic cards. 

“Patuloy na gumagawa ng paraan ang inyong DOTr at ang inyong LTO upang matugunan sa lalong madaling panahon ang ating kinakaharap na hamon ukol sa driver’s license. Makakasa ang ating mga kababayang motorista na sa mga action plan na ito, laging isinasaalang-alang ang inyong kapakanan (The DOTr and the LTO continue to work to address the challenge we are facing regarding the driver's license as soon as possible. Motorists can rest assured that in these action plans, your welfare is always considered),” Mendoza said.

Photos by Dylan Afuang and Land Transportation Office

Also read:

Production of driver’s licenses delayed anew with TRO from QC RTC

First batch of driver's license cards handed over to LTO

How to acquire a driver's license in the Philippines